Iraq's new PM wants business deals with Trump, but militias cloud visit
When Ali al-Zaidi was nominated as Iraq’s Prime Minister in April, a senior Iraqi diplomat sitting with Middle East Eye breathed a sigh of relief and called Zaidi to congratulate him.
“This was Trump’s pick. He is an Iraqi Trump, a businessman,” the official said. “Now, the funds will flow again."
Sure enough, Iraq confirmed on Thursday that the US had resumed air shipments of Iraqi oil income that is kept at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, just in time for Zaidi’s landmark visit to the White House next week.
In keeping with the monetary theme of the visit, Zaidi - whose business empire extends to real estate, banking, and logistics - has deals set to sign when he meets Trump, a separate senior Iraqi official told MEE, speaking on condition of anonymity.
: Iraq's new PM wants business deals with Trump, but militias cloud visit
This handout picture shows new prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi, centre, sitting ahead of presenting his government to the parliament in Baghdad, on 14 2026 (Iraqi prime minister's press office/AFP)